Can someone clear this up for me? I thought you had to be 20 to play in the AHL but Pearson is an August '93 and played the whole season in Manchester. How does it all work?

EDIT: Whoops, looks like he's a '92. HockeyDB has him as a '93.

There are a couple of ways, actually. First, Europeans (not drafted by CHL team, or ever having played in NCAA); although usually they'll play in Europe rather than come over early and play in AHL. Also, NCAA-drop out players (age 18, 19; not drafted by CHL team); if they drop out of school, they can be assigned to AHL.

But very, very few ever do.

Of course, drafted CHLers can play in the AHL after their season is done in the spring.